Let me preface this by saying I’m far from a professional “Instagram influencer.” On most days, you’re more likely to find me looking like this during my travels:
However, when it comes to understanding how to take a compelling Instagram photo, it boils down to mastering three essential elements:
- Angles
- Posing
- Editing
Looking back at my Instagram journey, the evolution is clear. The first image below represents my earlier posts – decent, but lacking that polished edge. The second image showcases my feed today, a testament to learning and applying these key elements:
Current Instagram Feed Example
Essential Equipment for Instagram Photography
While creativity is paramount, having the right tools can significantly enhance your Instagram photos. As of 2024, my photography setup includes these core pieces:
For aspiring photographers seeking a versatile and user-friendly camera, I highly recommend the Canon 80d or the Sony a6000. My personal journey began with the Canon 70d (the predecessor to the 80d), which served me faithfully for over five years and remains a cherished part of my kit.
The Sony a6000, a mirrorless alternative, offers a more compact and lightweight design compared to DSLRs like the Canon. While I’ve experimented with Sony cameras, my preference consistently leans towards the Canon ecosystem for its intuitive interface and robust performance.
The Canon 80d typically retails around $1000 for the body and a kit lens, making it a solid investment for serious beginners. The Sony a6000 is slightly more budget-friendly, hovering around $879.
Sony a6000 Camera
Photo Tips to Make Your Instagram Stand Out
1) Master the Rule of Thirds
Research indicates that positioning your subject slightly off-center significantly boosts visual appeal and captivates viewers. This fundamental photography principle is known as the “Rule of Thirds.”
Instead of placing your focal point directly in the middle, imagine dividing your frame into nine equal rectangles with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Positioning key elements along these lines or at their intersections creates a more dynamic and engaging composition. Here are a couple of visual examples:
Rule of Thirds Example in Photography
2) Embrace Natural Posing
When photographing clients or even yourself, encourage authenticity. Overly posed photos often appear forced and disconnect with viewers.
Don’t shy away from sharing genuine, candid moments, even if they aren’t perfectly polished. Photos capturing real laughter and authentic expressions often resonate most strongly. My most engaging posts on @shaleewanders are those where I share genuine stories and unfiltered photos, fostering a deeper connection with my audience.
Candid photo of a person laughing
3) Strive for Naturalness
Building upon the concept of posing, aim for a sense of naturalness in your Instagram photos. Avoid forced or contrived scenarios. If you’re enjoying a sunset at the beach, have a friend or use a self-timer to capture you naturally interacting with the environment, like standing in the waves. This authenticity lends a sense of realism that viewers appreciate.
Overcoming self-consciousness when being photographed is key to achieving naturalness. The best way to do this? Relax and have fun! Laugh, let your friends tease you about your pose, and encourage candid shots when people are genuinely reacting. An authentic, spontaneous photo will always outperform a stiff, overly-calculated pose.
Person walking on a beach at sunset
4) Edit Subtly and Strategically
Photo editing plays a crucial role in enhancing your Instagram photos, but often, less is more. Over-filtering and excessive edits can detract from the natural beauty and authenticity of your images.
As someone who edits thousands of photos annually, I can attest that extensive Photoshop manipulations are rarely necessary. I primarily use editing to refine minor imperfections like stray footprints or unwanted background elements. My editing style typically aims to preserve the original colors and mood of the shot, enhancing rather than drastically altering the image.
Before and After subtle photo edits
5) Seek Out Unique Locations and Avoid Crowds
In today’s social media landscape, a single viral photo can transform a hidden gem into a crowded tourist hotspot. Devil’s Bridge in Arizona serves as a prime example. During my visit in 2016, we had the entire location to ourselves. However, subsequent reports indicate long queues of up to 100 people on any given day, all vying for “the shot.”
When planning your Instagram photoshoots, venture beyond the well-trodden paths. The slot canyon pictured below is often mistaken for the famous Antelope Canyon. However, it’s a lesser-known slot canyon in Utah, where we enjoyed the freedom to explore and shoot in peace, without any interruptions.
Photographing in uncrowded locations allows you to relax, reduces pressure, and invariably leads to better, more authentic photos. Personally, I find it incredibly challenging to create compelling images amidst crowds. I prefer the freedom to experiment, be spontaneous, and capture a multitude of shots, trusting that a few will stand out.
Another angle in the slot canyon
6) Experiment with Angles to Create Impact
Mastering angles is a crucial skill in taking captivating Instagram photos. Whether you’re capturing an outfit of the day (OOTD) shot or a breathtaking travel scene, playing with different angles can dramatically transform your images.
For instance, in the photo below, the angle makes it appear as though I’m perched precariously on the edge of a cliff in Canyonlands National Park. In reality, it was a safe and stable spot, but the chosen angle exaggerates the sense of adventure and daring. To demonstrate its safety, my friend, who has a fear of heights, also sat in the same spot (as seen in the second photo).
If you’re petite, like me at 5’2″, and wish to appear taller in photos, position your tripod low to the ground and shoot from a slightly upward angle. This technique elongates your legs and creates a more statuesque appearance.
Dramatic angle photography on a cliff
7) Communicate Your Vision with Your Photographer
My partner, Josh, and I share a passion for travel photography, yet we have distinct preferences in shooting and editing styles. Effective communication is essential to bridge these differences. Clearly articulate the angle, composition, and overall vision you have for the photo. Instead of simply handing over your camera or phone, demonstrate the precise framing and positioning you envision to ensure your photographer captures your desired shot.
Communicating photo vision with photographer
8) Learn to Edit in Lightroom: A User-Friendly Tool
Capturing the photo is the first step; skillful editing is the equally vital second step in creating stunning Instagram photos. Adobe’s Photography Plan, priced at just $10 per month, grants access to Lightroom, Mobile Lightroom, and Photoshop – a comprehensive suite for all your photo editing needs.
For those new to photo editing, Lightroom presets can be a valuable starting point, offering pre-defined editing styles to experiment with. My typical Lightroom workflow involves these core adjustments:
- Tone Curve Adjustment: I fine-tune the tone curve for every photo to optimize contrast and brightness.
- Brightness Enhancement: My photographic aesthetic leans towards bright and vibrant, so I often adjust brightness levels to achieve this look.
- Contrast and Clarity Balance: To impart a dreamy, ethereal quality to my photos, I typically increase contrast while subtly decreasing clarity.
- Subject Brightening: Lightroom’s Subject Masking tool, introduced in 2022, simplifies the process of selectively brightening your subject. Use this tool judiciously, applying subtle enhancements to avoid an unnatural appearance. Within Lightroom, access the masking tool, click the ‘+’ button, and select “Select Subject.” Lightroom will automatically highlight your subject in red, allowing you to make targeted adjustments to that area.
Lightroom Subject Select Tool
9) Take a Lot of Photos: Quantity Leads to Quality
The reality of photography is that for every exceptional photo, there are likely many that don’t quite make the cut. Don’t be discouraged if 99 out of 100 shots are less than perfect – it’s that single outstanding image that matters.
I personally prefer to minimize the time spent solely focused on photoshoots. While capturing Instagram-worthy content is a goal, I prioritize genuinely experiencing the places I visit. Leverage rapid-fire shooting modes, particularly on DSLR cameras, to capture a burst of images in quick succession. Combine this with the principle of acting naturally.
For example, try walking towards the camera while casually running your hand through your hair. A short 10-second walk can easily yield 20-40 photos. Repeat this a few times, and you’ll have a diverse selection of images to review later, increasing your chances of finding that perfect Instagram shot.
